Amy Dowden still doesn't know about Strictly return as she admits 'it wasn't the same'

Professional dancer Amy Dowden is waiting to hear the news she has secured a spot on this year's Strictly Come Dancing as she heartbreakingly admits she 'wasn't confident' in herself on the latest show

Dancer Amy Dowden overcame huge setbacks and returned to Strictly Come Dancing last year, yet doesn't know if she'll be back on the dancefloor.

The professional dancer had to take time away from the BBC dance competition following her breast cancer diagnosis. She made her epic comeback to the programme last September when she was partnered with JLS star JB Gill. Amy was so excited to be able to dance again, with fans equally as thrilled for her comeback.

However, her series was heartbreakingly cut short when she suffered a foot injury. It meant Amy had to step away from the show once again as professional Lauren Oakley filled in for her and reach the final with JB. Just a couple months later, Amy was able to return to Strictly and take part in the UK tour.

Like all the professional dancers, Amy is awaiting the call from show bosses to confirm her spot on the 2025 show. In the meantime, she is receiving the support of Strictly co-star Carlos Gu and the pair are heading out on their Reborn tour together next month. When asked if the pair will be returning to the show, Amy told the Mirror: "We are waiting to find out, fingers crossed. We would love to but we are waiting for the decision to be made which is normally the Spring time."

Amy admitted her comeback wasn't quite what she had hoped it would be as she confessed to putting too much pressure on herself. The dancer, who was awarded an MBE this week for her services to Chron's disease, told us: "Last year, it was a lot of emotions, excitement but I think also pressure I had put on myself.

"I think this year, I would be able to truly go in and enjoy it and I think that's what I would be looking forward to the most [if she took part in the 2025 series]. I really do truly feel like Amy again. Last year, I wasn't confident in myself really deep down. I think I was still trying to accept everything. I didn't look the same, with my hair growing back. You could see a difference in me."

Amy revealed she had a conversation with fellow pro Dianne Buswell when on the Strictly Come Dancing tour at the start of the year, when she confessed to noticing a difference in the dancer. "Dianne said at the tour rehearsals 'we have got Amy back'," she explained. "She could see I wasn't like that during the series. If I am back [on Strictly] this year, I would just embrace and enjoy every second."

She will be back on the dancefloor in a matter of weeks with best friend and 'brother' Carlos for their tour. Carlos explained: "Reborn is based out both of our stories. The story that we have is quite inspiring. For myself, it is finding my identity, challenging myself, living in a different country, navigating my life." Amy added: "For me, obviously, with everything that I've been through, I truly feel now like a new vision of myself and I can't wait to be back on that magical dance floor up close and personal."

Amy Dowden and Carlos Gu: Reborn kicks off in Birmingham on 10 March and runs across the UK until 6 April.

If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Breast Cancer Support.

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